Ambient air device

ABSTRACT

An ambient air device configured to be worn about the wrist or to be affixed to a wristwatch. Embodiments enable an individual to conveniently activate the wrist ambient air device in order to limit the incursion of smoke or other offensive gaseous pollutants and contaminants into the individual&#39;s environing airspace. Embodiments of this device use a portable fan assembly to enrich an individual&#39;s ambient environment without causing a substantial disturbance to the airspace of adjacent or neighboring individuals. A plurality of lightweight, rigid or flexible fan blades may be actuated by a switch or the like which, in turn, activates a battery-operated motor for driving the plurality of fan blades that comprise the device. Other embodiments contemplate a plurality of lightweight, flexible fan blades affixed to a wristband or other external clothing accessory, suitably positioned to assure that an individual&#39;s airspace is healthy and clean.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority based upon Provisional U.S.Application Ser. No. 60/414,105 filed Sep. 27, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for circulatingambient air away from an individual's face and the like using abattery-operated plurality of fan blades disposed upon a wrist watch orother wrist or clothing accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There have been many efforts and attempts to rid the ambient airsurrounding individuals of foreign substances such as smoke andpollutants. Air is crucial to the survival of the human race and cleanair is obviously crucial to the proper operation and longevity of thehuman respiratory system.

[0004] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one approachfor promoting the influx of clean, uncontaminated air into the humanrespiratory system is to limit the amount and nature of volatile gaseoussubstances and other pollutants that are allowed to gain entrythereinto. Such limited entry, of course, is dependent upon thecomparable amount and nature of volatile gaseous substances and otherpollutants that are allowed to be emitted into and permeate theenvironment from a diversity of sources including chemical plants,refineries, motor vehicle exhausts, and the like. This approach, ofcourse, is typically entangled in industry abuses, government regulationand political maneuvering that has prevented the realization of apollution and contamination-free environment.

[0005] Another approach, more amenable to achieving the goal of peoplefunctioning in a pollution and contamination-free environment is toaffirmatively prevent smoke and other pollutants from permeating ambientair. For instance, it has become prevalent in restaurants and otherpublic places to prohibit smoking, thereby inherently assuring asmoke-free environment. Besides assuring that clean air will be theorder of the day, such practices avoid fire hazards that obtain fromsmoking.

[0006] Yet another approach for helping achieve clean air goals is forpublic and commercial buildings to use exhaust fans and the like toeliminate unhealthy and otherwise offensive odors and the like from theambient air. While helping reduce people's exposure to unhealthy air,such devices and techniques fail to engender a sufficiently healthy andsafe environment for the public. It would be advantageous, however, ifthere were a device and means for an individual to conveniently andunobtrusively augment these heretofore insufficient approaches to limithis exposure to unhealthy and unsafe ambient air.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention affords a means for enablingan individual to control his exposure to smoke and other pollutants inthe ambient air while constituting minimal or no interference with thepeaceful enjoyment of neighboring or adjoining individuals in publicplaces or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention comprises a portable device having a fanaccessory configured to be worn about the wrist or to be affixed to asport-type wrist watch and the like. As will be hereinafter described,embodiments of the present invention enable an individual toconveniently activate the instant wrist ambient air cleaning device inorder to limit the incursion of smoke or other offensive gaseouspollutants and the like into the individual's environing airspace. Aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present inventioncontemplates the use of a wrist fan or a wristwatch fan assembly toenrich an individual's ambient environment without causing a substantialdisturbance to environments of adjacent or neighboring individuals.

[0009] As will be hereinafter described, embodiments of the ambient airdevice of the present invention contemplate a plurality of lightweight,flexible fan blades affixed preferably to the top surface of a sportswrist watch or a wrist accessory or a suitable clothing accessory. Thefan accessory may be actuated by a switch or the like which, in turn,activates a battery-operated motor or motor otherwise powered fordriving a plurality of fan blades. Other embodiments of the instantdevice contemplate a plurality of lightweight, flexible fan bladesaffixed to a wristband or clothing accessory, with such accessory iscomfortably attached to an individual's wrist or clothing garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 depicts a top planar view of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, with a plurality of fan blades disposed in aclosed position.

[0011]FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1,with the plurality of fan blades disposed in an open position.

[0012]FIG. 3 depicts a frontal view of the embodiment depicted in FIG.2.

[0013]FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of the embodiment depicted in FIGS.2-3.

[0014]FIG. 5 depicts a top planar view of another embodiment of thepresent invention, with a plurality of fan blades disposed in an openposition.

[0015]FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5.

[0016]FIG. 7 depicts a frontal view of the embodiment depicted in FIGS.5-6.

[0017]FIG. 8 depicts a rear view of the embodiment depicted in FIGS.5-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The structures of the present invention depicted in the drawingscomprise a combination of the operation of a conventional sports wristwatch or the like, and a portable ambient air device affixed preferablyatop the face of the wrist watch. As will become clear to those skilledin the art, embodiments of the present invention are designed to providesufficient air movement and circulation to force smoke and the likepresent in the ambient away from an individual's face, but withoutcausing any safety hazards associated with the simultaneous operation ofa plurality of fan blades to either the individual, to adjacent orneighboring individuals, or to passers by.

[0019] More particularly referring to the figures shown in the drawings,FIGS. 1-4 depict wristwatch ambient air assembly 2 of the presentinvention depicting plurality of fan blades 10 affixed to conventionalsports watch 100. Now referring specifically to FIG. 1, there isdepicted a top planar view of wristwatch ambient air assembly 2 clearlyshowing each of fan blades 20A-H situated in a closed position. As willbe understood by those skilled in the art, when this plurality of fanblades is caused to rotate in a conventional manner relative to axis 15of wristwatch 100, each of fan blades 20A-H becomes situated in an openposition. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that, althoughambient air device 2 is depicted with eight fan blades, embodiments maybe configured with any number of fan blades that accomplish the purposesof the present invention.

[0020] Referring now to FIG.2, there is depicted a side view ofwristwatch ambient air assembly 2, depicted in FIG. 1, taught by thepresent invention showing wristband clamp means 150 used to securewristband 130 to an individual's wrist. Also shown are fan blades 20Aand 20E of plurality of fan blades 10, which pivot about axis 15 fixedlyattached atop watch face 140. Plurality of batteries 60 are containedwithin battery compartment 50 which is affixed to watchband 130 proximalto plurality of fan blades 10.

[0021]FIGS. 3 and 4 depict front and rear views, respectively, ofambient air device 2 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, FIG. 3depicts a frontal view of wristwatch ambient air device 2 having timedisplay 25 disposed upon watchband 130; shown are fan blades 20H and 20Fof plurality of fan blades 10. Of course, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that the time display may be disposed in any ofseveral locations on wristwatch ambient air assembly 2 so long as it isfunctionally easily and conveniently viewable by the individual anddoesn't interfere with the normal operation of plurality of fan blades10. Furthermore, it should also be evident that the time may bedisplayed in digital format or analog format, or, if space permits, inboth formats. Similarly, FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of wristwatchambient air assembly 2 having watchband 130; shown are fan blades 20Band 20D of plurality of fan blades 10.

[0022] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theplurality of fan blades depicted in FIGS. 1-4 comprise relatively rigidblades. That is, such blades are preferably constructed from plasticmaterial that tends to exhibit rigidity with only limited flexibility.On the other hand, the embodiment of the present invention depicted inFIGS. 5-8 is configured with a plurality of considerably larger fanblades that are constructed with plastic material that tends to manifestrelatively soft and flexible blades.

[0023] More particularly referring to FIGS. 5-8, there is seenwristwatch ambient air assembly embodiment 2 of the present inventiondepicting plurality of fan blades 10 affixed to sports watch 100. Nowreferring specifically to FIG. 5, there is depicted a top planar view ofwristwatch ambient air assembly 2 clearly showing each of fan blades20A-B permanently disposed in an open position atop wristwatch face 140.As will be understood by those skilled in the art, this plurality of fanblades rotates in a conventional manner relative to axis 15 ofwristwatch 100. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that,although embodiment 2 is depicted with two fan blades, embodiments ofthe instant ambient air device may be configured with any number of fanblades that accomplish the purposes of the present invention.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a side view ofwristwatch ambient air assembly 2, depicted in FIG. 1, taught by thepresent invention showing wristband clamp means 150 used to securewristband 130 to an individual's wrist. Also shown are fan blades 20Aand 20B of plurality of fan blades 10, which pivot about axis 15 fixedlyattached atop watch face 140. Plurality of batteries 60 are containedwithin battery compartment 50 which is affixed to watchband 130 proximalto plurality of fan blades 10.

[0025]FIGS. 3 and 4 depict front and rear views, respectively, ofambient air device 2 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, FIG. 3depicts a frontal view of wristwatch ambient air assembly 2 having timedisplay 25 disposed upon watchband 130; shown are fan blades 20A and 20Bof plurality of fan blades 10. Of course, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that the time display may be disposed in any ofseveral locations on wristwatch ambient air assembly 2 so long as it isfunctionally easily and conveniently viewable by the individual anddoesn't interfere with the normal operation of plurality of fan blades10. Furthermore, it should also be evident that the time may bedisplayed in digital format or analog format, or, if space permits, inboth formats. Similarly, FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of wristwatchambient air assembly 2 having watchband 130; shown are fan blades 20Aand 20B of plurality of fan blades 10.

[0026] Several alternative embodiments of the present invention havebeen developed and tested. For example, a five-blade ambient aircleaning model configured with relatively short, rigid fan blades asdepicted in FIGS. 1-4 and having a 3-volt AC motor generated sufficientfan capabilities using two AAA batteries for power. As another example,a two-blade ambient air cleaning model configured with relativelyelongated soft, flexible fan blades as depicted in FIGS. 5-8 and havinga similar 3-volt AC motor powered by two AAA batteries also generatedsufficient fan capabilities. As yet another example, a three-blade,high-performance ambient air cleaning model configured with relativelyelongated soft, flexible fan blades as depicted in FIGS. 5-8 and havinga 4.5-volt AC motor powered by two AAA batteries generated powerful fancapabilities to thoroughly disperse smoke and the like from beingproximal to an individual's airspace. It has been observed thatacceptable ambient air circulation and movement have been obtained from3-volt motors which generate approximately 8300 RPMs at no load.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention have been designed toinclude preferably integrated switch means for controlling theapplication of battery power to, first, control whether or not the fanblades are operational, and, second, to regulate the rotational speed ofthe plurality of fan blades. Of course, it will be readily appreciatedby those skilled in the art that the simplest form of switch means thatmay be incorporated into embodiments of the present invention comprise atoggle that may either be situated in the “off” or “on” position.Preferred embodiments of the present invention contemplate a switchmeans capable of being situated into a plurality of positions including“off,” and variable speed positions typified by “low,” medium,” and“high.” Obviously, these variable speed positions enable the individualto select a suitable fan blade RPM to closely control ambient airmovement and circulation commensurate with the extent of smoke or otherunhealthy pollutants that permeate his air space. It will be understoodby those skilled in the art that this type of switch means may bereadily implemented via push-button operation or slider operation or thelike.

[0028] It will be also be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatanother embodiment of the present invention comprises a combination ofplurality of fan blades and concomitant motor affixed to a wristband orthe like. That is, instead of necessarily affixing a portable ambientair cleaning assembly to a wristwatch, it is also contemplated that sucha portable ambient air cleaning assembly may be adapted to be attachedto a suitable wristband or the like. Of course, it is also contemplatedthat the portable ambient air cleaning assembly taught by the presentinvention may be configured as a stick-pin or other comparable clothingappurtenance that enables an individual's airspace to be rendered cleanand healthy under the influence of a plurality of fan blades. It shouldalso be clearly understood that the plurality of fan blades comprisingthe portable ambient air cleaning device of the present invention may bepowered not only by battery-operation but also may be powered byalternative sources of power—that may be conveniently and readilyapplied by an individual—such as solar power.

[0029] An important aspect of embodiments of the present invention isthat while the plurality of fan blades are rotationally operationalproximal to an individual—his hands, arms, and/or face—blade rotationmay be routinely and harmlessly ceased by the individual's finger orotherwise when contact is made with a body part such as the face orforearm.

[0030] It should also be apparent to those conversant in the art thatembodiments of the present invention may be constructed to satisfyprerequisite requirements especially under unusual or exigentconditions. Such conditions would be experienced if particular userswill be confined to congested areas having limited influx of fresh airover protracted periods of time or to areas having virtually minimal orno circulation. Such special embodiments would then be designed toachieve optimal air movement and circulation that is delivered to theindividual wearer. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,design factors would include fan blade pitch, number of fan blades, fanblade size, fan motor RPM rating, and power consumption prerequisite foroperation. Obviously, another factor would be the number and type ofbatteries, in turn, prerequisite for achieving the power for continuousoperation of such embodiments. It should be understood that, undercircumstances in which essentially every individual present in a fixedspace wears and operates an embodiment of the present invention, evenfor such space inherently having limited or no air circulation, per se,should tend to provide sufficient air circulation thereto. Accordingly,a housing containing a plurality of fan blade members and driving motormeans contemplated by the present invention may be affixed to not only awrist watch or wrist band member, but also may be attached to anysuitable base such as an ornamental stickpin support or other decorativeclothing accessory or the like.

[0031] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the embodiments described above, but encompasses structuralvariations consistent with its teachings. Thus, any portable structurethat affords sufficient fan-generated ambient air cleaning power todrive smoke and contaminants away from an individual's airspace, andwhich simultaneously functions in a safe and quite manner in publicscenarios or the like, is contemplated to assure that an individual'sambient air is sufficiently healthy to gain entry into the humanrespiratory system.

[0032] Other variations and modifications will, of course, becomeapparent from a consideration of the structures and techniqueshereinbefore described and depicted. Accordingly, it should be clearlyunderstood that the present invention is not intended to be limited bythe particular features and structures hereinbefore described anddepicted in the accompanying drawings, but that the present invention isto be measured by the scope of the appended claims herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. For an individual situated in an environmenthaving ambient air permeated with smoke and other offensive gaseouspollutants, in combination with a wrist watch worn upon saidindividual's wrist, a portable wrist ambient air apparatus comprising: abody member disposed adjacent said wrist watch and affixed thereto, andincluding a power source compartment; a portable power source containedwithin said power source compartment; plurality of lightweight fanblades fixedly attached to said top surface of said wrist watch; a motormeans contained within said body member and electrically interconnectedwith said portable power source, and fixedly attached to said pluralityof lightweight fan blades for causing rotation thereof; a switch meansdisposed upon said body member and electrically interconnected with saidmotor means, for activating said motor to engender sufficient flow ofsaid ambient air away from said individual wearer's face to limitincursion of said smoke and said other offensive gaseous pollutantsdispersed in said individual's airspace.
 2. Said portable wrist ambientair apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said switch means includescontrol means for the application of power to said plurality of fanblades.
 3. Said portable wrist ambient air apparatus recited in claim 2,wherein said control means is toggled to either the “off” or “on”position.
 4. Said portable wrist ambient air apparatus recited in claim2, wherein said control means controls the variable rotational speedapplied to said plurality of fan blades.
 5. Said portable wrist ambientair apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein said variable rotational speedis set to one of “low,” “medium” or “high” positions.
 6. Said portablewrist ambient air apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said pluralityof blades are constructed from plastic material imparting rigiditythereto with limited flexibility.
 6. Said portable wrist ambient airapparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of blades areconstructed from soft plastic material imparting complete flexibilitythereto.
 7. Said portable wrist ambient air apparatus recited in claim1, wherein said portable power source comprises a plurality ofbatteries.
 8. Said portable wrist ambient air apparatus recited in claim1, wherein said portable power source comprises a solar power source. 9.For an individual situated in an environment having ambient airpermeated with smoke and other offensive gaseous pollutants, incombination with a wrist watch worn upon said individual's wrist, aportable wrist ambient air apparatus comprising: a body member disposedadjacent said wrist watch and affixed thereto, and including a batterycompartment; a plurality of batteries contained within said batterycompartment; plurality of lightweight fan blades fixedly attached tosaid top surface of said wrist watch; a motor means contained withinsaid body member and electrically interconnected with said plurality oflightweight, flexible fan blades, for causing rotation of said pluralityof lightweight, flexible fan blades; a switch means electricallyinterconnected with said motor means and affixed externally to said bodymember, for activating said battery-operated motor to engendersufficient flow of said ambient air away from said individual wearer'sface to limit incursion of said smoke and said other offensive gaseouspollutants dispersed in said individual's airspace.
 10. Said portablewrist ambient air apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein said switchmeans includes control means for the application of power to saidplurality of fan blades.
 11. Said portable wrist ambient air apparatusrecited in claim 10, wherein said control means is toggled to either the“off” or “on” position.
 12. Said portable wrist ambient air apparatusrecited in claim 10, wherein said control means controls the variablerotational speed applied to said plurality of fan blades.
 13. Saidportable wrist ambient air apparatus recited in claim 12, wherein saidvariable rotational speed is set to one of “low,” “medium” or “high”positions.
 14. Said portable wrist ambient air apparatus recited inclaim 9, wherein said plurality of blades are constructed from plasticmaterial imparting rigidity thereto with limited flexibility.
 15. Saidportable wrist ambient air apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein saidplurality of blades are constructed from soft plastic material impartingcomplete flexibility thereto.
 16. For an individual situated in anenvironment having ambient air permeated with smoke and other offensivegaseous pollutants, in combination with a clothing accessory having abase, a portable ambient air apparatus comprising: a body memberdisposed adjacent said base of said clothing accessory and affixedthereto, and including a power source compartment; a portable powersource contained within said power source compartment; plurality oflightweight fan blades fixedly attached to said top surface of saidclothing accessory; a motor means contained within said body member andelectrically interconnected with said portable power source, and fixedlyattached to said plurality of lightweight fan blades for causingrotation thereof; a switch means disposed upon said body member andelectrically interconnected with said motor means, for activating saidmotor to engender sufficient flow of said ambient air away from saidindividual wearer's face to limit incursion of said smoke and said otheroffensive gaseous pollutants dispersed in said individual's airspace.17. Said portable ambient air apparatus recited in claim 16, whereinsaid switch means includes control means for the application of power tosaid plurality of fan blades.
 18. Said portable ambient air apparatusrecited in claim 17, wherein said control means is toggled to either the“off” or “on” position.
 19. Said portable ambient air apparatus recitedin claim 17, wherein said control means controls the variable rotationalspeed applied to said plurality of fan blades.
 20. Said portable ambientair apparatus recited in claim 19, wherein said variable rotationalspeed is set to one of “low,” “medium” or “high” positions.
 21. Saidportable ambient air apparatus recited in claim 16, wherein saidplurality of blades are constructed from plastic material impartingrigidity thereto with limited flexibility.
 22. Said portable ambient airapparatus recited in claim 16, wherein said plurality of blades areconstructed from soft plastic material imparting complete flexibilitythereto.
 23. Said portable ambient air apparatus recited in claim 16,wherein said portable power source comprises a plurality of batteries.24. Said portable ambient air apparatus recited in claim 16, whereinsaid portable power source comprises a solar power source.